Parramatta's thrilling round one escape act has been tempered by news that Kiwi star Krisnan Inu will be sidelined for six weeks with an ankle injury.
Inu will undergo surgery after twisting awkwardly late in Saturday night's 28-20 come from behind win over the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
"It's bitterly disappointing to lose Krisnan this early in the season," coach Michael Hagan said.
"He's played 21 games for us since his debut and this will be his first extended break out of the game, so for it to come just when he was hitting his straps after a hard pre-season is particularly hard to take."
The Eels have a handy replacement for Sunday's clash in Auckland with the New Zealand Warriors in Test winger Jarryd Hayne.
But Inu's injury robs Eels fans of the chance to see the two young stars line-up side by side.
While Hagan was obviously devastated with Inu's prognosis his thoughts quickly turned to another Kiwi international after admitting huge Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei was likely to be targeted this weekend.
Vatuvei had a night he'd rather forget under the high ball against Melbourne on Monday night, reviving memories of his horrendous outing the last time he faced the Eels back in May last year.
That night Vatuvei dropped the ball on six occasions, the Eels scoring three tries as a direct result of his indiscretions.
Two Vatuvei fumbles led to Storm four-pointers, though the 112kg flanker redeemed himself with two tries of his own.
Hagan said his kickers would likely test Vatuvei early in the game, but stressed it was vital the Eels didn't focus on targeting him too much.
"That will be part of our plan but it's not going to be our total plan of attack," Hagan said.
"You fall in the trap if you target just one bloke but obviously it's going to be part of how we play and that's one of our strengths so we've got to play to that ... I'm sure that will get a mention in the lead-up.
"Chances are he'll improve on what he did and he'll hammer some blokes ...
"You're not sure what to expect (with him) consistently."
http://news.leaguehq.com.au/eels-lose-inu-for-six-weeks/20080318-203r.html
